Attention Amherstburg cyclists: It's single file or else

Kelly Steele, Windsor Star

Updated: October 4, 2012

Cyclists Robb Lovell, left, Bob Lajoy, right, and Wayne Lessard, behind, and other county riders will have to adjust to Amherstburg’s bylaw of single-file formation within the town’s limits. (NICK BRANCACCIO / The Windsor Star)

From obscene gestures and phrases to nearly being run off the road by irate motorists, cyclists have seen it all. As one cyclist put it, every time he heads out on his bike, he hopes to make it back home in one piece.

For that reason, you’ll often see a group of cyclists on county roads riding two abreast. Most cyclists have discovered that when they ride in single file, motorists will not move over. Drivers come close to clipping them, then speed away, honking their horns and yelling.

But local police officers don’t agree. In fact, Amherstburg police have started taking a stand against groups that refuse to ride single file. Cyclists have been pulled over and warned if they don’t ride single file, they will be ticketed.

Amherstburg is one of few communities that has a bylaw to address cyclists. The town’s bylaw specifically says “all persons operating a bicycle or ebike upon a roadway shall ride in single file.”

Amherstburg police Sgt. Jim Saxon admits cycling groups have been pulled over and reminded of the town’s bylaw. So far, no tickets have been issued. He said his concern is that the cyclists don’t want to move over for traffic, and someone is going to get killed.

A couple of weeks ago on a Sunday morning, a group of eight cyclists was pulled over on a concession road in Amherstburg. One cyclist said the officer told the group they were “obstructing traffic” by riding two abreast. The group was stunned; it was a Sunday morning and there was no traffic, which was the primary reason they chose that road.

Dan Scott, criminal lawyer and avid cyclist, said he supports the two-abreast formation when out on the roads. He points out, however, that under the Amherstburg bylaw, OPP can and will ticket riders.

But that doesn’t deter Scott. “It is dangerous to ride single file. By riding two abreast we are more visible. If you are riding single file cars don’t see you as easily and they don’t go around us. We make a point of riding on roads where traffic is minimal and if we do ride on busy roads, we are only on them for short periods of time,” he said.

Cyclists may not always stop completely at stop signs but as Scott explained, imagine a group of 30 riders, each stopping at an intersection. Most motorists wouldn’t want to wait for everyone to cross.

“Honestly, we don’t ride to be idiots,” he said. “We really ride respectfully. In fact we are more respectful of cars than cars are of us.”

Word is spreading like wildfire through the cycling community. Some groups aren’t riding in Amherstburg to avoid being targeted by police, while others are falling into single-file formation as soon as they hit the town limits.

“Really, Amherstburg needs to be careful about the message they are sending to the cyclists,” said Tom Omstead, who, along with his wife Sue, helped organize Share the Road-Essex County, which promotes safe cycling.

“Cycling is one of the fastest growing areas in tourism. A lot of bike rides are being organized and especially in the Amherstburg area, where they are promoting the wine tours. Amherstburg does not want to become known as unfriendly to cyclists.”

Scott agrees. He said the town’s bylaw will have an effect on the community’s economic interests, especially the wine tours, which favour the group setting.

Tom said motorists and cyclists can share the road by simply being courteous. “If you are blocking traffic riding in a pack then you need to get in single file. If a car can’t get by a group, that is really annoying.”

Sue said cyclists have to be smart when they ride and in a way that does not “arouse even the most aggressive driver.”

Cyclists don’t like motorists anymore than motorists like cyclists, but regardless, both must share the road. And don’t think for a minute that cyclists don’t realize they have created some of the problems. Some cyclists refuse to move over and let traffic pass, while others are often seen flying through red lights or stop signs.

We’ve all seen those irate drivers, hitting the steering wheel and honking over the smallest situations.

Just don’t give them any reason to be angry, and use common sense when you’re on your bike, said Sue. “Cyclists just have to make sure they don’t block the road. Motorists and cyclists need to remember they are both sharing the road.”

The consensus with most cyclists is bylaw or no bylaw, they will continue to ride two abreast because they feel it is the safest way to be seen and avoided on the roadways. And, let’s face it: In car versus bicycle, we all know who wins the battle.

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